TUCSON, Ariz. -- Remember in the movie "Groundhog Day," when every morning was painfully the same for Bill Murray's weatherman character, regardless of what happened the night before? White Sox utility player Ross Gload has been living the baseball version of that popular film for close to the past decade.

Aside from Spring Training, 2005, when Gload had locked up a roster spot with a strong finish to 2004, by his estimation the left-handed jack-of-all-trades has been fighting for a Major League opportunity the past eight years. That scenario hasn't changed this season, with Gload, Joe Borchard, Jerry Owens and possibly Ben Grieve battling for one or maybe two openings with the defending World Series champions.

But the challenge is not something that seems to affect Gload or alter his demeanor. He's been through it too many times before.

"That's the position I want to be in," said Gload, who like Borchard, is out of Minor League options. "I haven't been given a job and I've had to battle for it, but that's the fun part of the game.

"I mean, it would be nice to have a five-year, $60 million contract, and take the six weeks to get ready for April. But I've always done it this way. I earned it last year, but I got hurt last year. So, I'm right back where I started."

Gload missed all but 19 games in 2005 with left-shoulder inflammation, after hitting .321 with the White Sox over 234 at-bats in 2004. At the original time of the injury, there was talk Gload wouldn't lose his job because of the setback. With the trade deadline acquisition of Geoff Blum, though, Gload was left to wonder about his future with the White Sox after he clearly was not part of their plans down the stretch.

That question was answered when Gload was tendered a contract and brought back for 2006. If Gload shows the ability to play the outfield once again, he might rate a slight edge over the other candidates. Manager Ozzie Guillen has said that his fifth outfielder also will be a prime pinch-hitting candidate, a strong suit Gload has shown in the past.

There's also his Gold Glove-caliber glove at first base, with the ability to spell Paul Konerko, to be considered. Guillen, at this stage, is not tipping his hand in regard to a possible favorite.

"We have a lot of games to go and not that many players in camp," Guillen said. "Everybody will get a legit chance."

Despite the injury troubles, Gload pointed out that he did post a .364 average and 15 home runs for Triple-A Charlotte in 2005. Gload always has proven he can hit in the Minors.

Now, he's focused on changing the ending of his script and doing the same with the White Sox. After all, things worked out for Murray in the end of his movie.

"I don't want to get labeled that Four-A player, but I've done it [in the Minors] for years now, and I've done it here for short stints too," Gload said. "But I'm in a spot where they thought enough of me to bring me back and fight for a position on this team, and that's all I can ask.

"There are probably 22 or 23 guys with a job on this team. The rest of us are battling for the final three spots."

Late bloomer: There's no reason for panic or concern if Jermaine Dye struggles through another rough April in 2006. The veteran right fielder certainly won't be bothered.

"I've always started slow in the past," Dye said. "I've played in some cold cities, so you may hit a ball that might get to the wall in April, but in the summer it carries off the wall or over the fence."

"It's tough to play in the cold weather, especially in baseball. It's just a matter of coming out of Spring Training that last week, try to get rolling and try to carry it over."

In his first season after signing with the White Sox, Dye hit just .178 with three home runs and eight RBIs in April. His average jumped to .275 in May and .337 in June, with the World Series MVP finishing the season at .274, with 31 home runs and 86 RBIs . The career discrepancies aren't quite so vast, with Dye hitting .263 in April, .269 in August, .271 in May, June and September and .279 in July.

Minor opportunity: Juan Uribe is expected to report to Tucson on Saturday. But if Uribe is not ready to play Wednesday or Thursday, for the first or second Cactus League contest, then Guillen might turn to Robert Valido, a top infield prospect, as a temporary replacement at shortstop.

"I expect [Uribe] to start the first couple of games, but we'll see how he feels," Guillen said. "I would like to see Valido play a little shortstop and see what we can get. Maybe he'll get a shot to start the game."

Valido hit .288 with Class A Winston-Salem last season, with a Carolina League-best 52 stolen bases. The 20-year-old is looking forward to even this possible small window of playing time.

"Ozzie is a great guy, and he's going to give a lot of guys opportunities," said Valido, a fourth-round selection in the 2003 First-Year Player Draft. "I just want to be here and show them what I can do. I just want to impress some people while I'm up here."

It's official: Prior to the start of Friday's workout, Guillen officially announced to the rest of the team that Konerko will serve as his captain. Konerko proudly accepted the honor, a decision he quickly came to as far back as SoxFest, and reaffirmed upon his arrival Thursday.

"This really is a team full of captains, but I'll wear [the 'C']," Konerko said.

Guillen joked with Konerko to make sure his 'C' is bigger than the one Sammy Sosa wore while serving as captain of the Cubs.

Third to first: The first intrasquad game is scheduled for Monday, with Mark Buehrle and Brandon McCarthy pitching. Jose Contreras will open Cactus League play against Colorado on Wednesday, with Jon Garland also taking the mound. ... Guillen reported no health problems for Dye, Scott Podsednik or Jim Thome through the first week of workouts. ... It didn't take long for Guillen to respond as to whether any of the eight left-handed pitchers had impressed him yet. "Nope," Guillen said. "It's too early to say who has impressed me. Facing your own hitters in your own uniform, you all look good."